First official frost of the season; Cold week ahead, small chance of snow Wednesday

The first frost of the season is a fact. Temperatures dropped to -0.1 degrees at the national weather station in De Bilt on Sunday evening, bringing the first official frost of autumn later than usual, Weeronline reported. The coming week will be significantly colder than the recent mild spell, with a mix of showers and sunshine. Some wet snow is possible inland on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service.

Typically, temperatures drop below zero at De Bilt for the first time in the autumn around November 7. The last time there was frost at the national weather station was on March 27, when temperatures dropped to -1.4 degrees. The latest first frost recorded was in 2007, when temperatures dropped below freezing only on December 17.

The recent long, mild spell has officially come to an end this weekend, according to Weeronline meteorologist Vera Buis. “It’s already considerably colder than last week, but the temperature will drop even further in the coming days,” she said. Monday will see maximums of around 8 to 10 degrees, and from then on, it will drop by a degree almost every day.

“Next weekend, highs will likely be between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. The wind will be mostly moderate to sometimes quite strong, so it may feel even colder at times.”

Monday will see some showers, with strong winds and hail during the heavier rain. Regular showers will move over the country again on Tuesday. On both days, there will be occasional sunny spells between the rain.

Wednesday will be gray with longer periods of rain. “Wet snow may also fall inland,” Buis said. Thursday will also see showers, with a chance of wet snow. But from Friday onwards, the days will be drier with more sunshine.